WM Calls on Calgary Hitmen Fans to Help Feed the Hungry

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - March 2, 2010) - Waste Management of Canada (WM) together with program partners the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Calgary Food Bank are planning a food drive on March 4 when the Hitmen face off against the Swift Current Broncos at the Pengrowth Saddledome. We will be asking fans to show their support for those less fortunate in the community by bringing a non-perishable food item or cash donation to the game.

"This is the very time of year these services are needed most," says WM's Diane Kossman, Senior Communications Manager for Western Canada. "Reserves are low after the holiday season but demand remains high and as more Canadians turn to food banks in the wake of the economic recession, donations continue to decline. We're challenging Hitmen fans to reverse this trend and support their local food bank."

WM will be holding food drives in 11 WHL cities over the next few months and hopes to empower hockey fans to raise a total of 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food items and $5,000 in cash donations for local food banks. To date more than 5,000 pounds of food and $3,900 in cash have been collected, thanks to the generosity of hockey fans. Hitmen fans can deliver their contributions to volunteers who will be located at signed tables on the main concourse level before the game and during intermissions.

"The relationship with the Calgary Hitmen and Waste Management helps to keep a focus on feeding people at a time of year when donations typically drop," says James McAra, CEO of the Calgary Food Bank. "This year, the need has not gone down. Since September 2009 we have served 20% more people than prior to the start of the recession. This drive will help us ensure our volunteers have food to distribute to those in need."

Everyone has a role to play in reducing hunger. According to a recent study conducted by Food Banks Canada (HungerCount 2009), almost 795,000 people turned to food banks in March 2009 - an 18% increase over March of the previous year. Well ahead of the national average and the hardest province hit, food bank use in Alberta increased by 61%. In March 2009, almost 54,000 Albertans needed help from a food bank, 43% of which were children.

A proud sponsor of the WHL since 2006, WM has been working to put together a program that will make a positive impact on the communities where our employees live, work and raise their families. Hunger affects everyone across the social spectrum including children, families and individuals, the working and unemployed and those unable to work, those with incomes, pensions or disability benefits who can't make ends meet are all at risk. At WM we are dedicated to making our communities better, cleaner and safer. A program like this one helps us further that goal.

The WHL was quick to come on-board and work with WM in this campaign to fight hunger on a community-wide scale.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the Western Hockey League, our Member Clubs and WHL fans to lend a helping hand to communities throughout Western Canada," says WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "Our partner Waste Management has developed a terrific campaign to reach out to the community to help restock our local food banks, because no one should go hungry."

About Waste Management

As Canada's leading provider of comprehensive waste management services, Waste Management offers state-of-the-art residential, commercial and industrial collection, recycling and disposal services throughout the country. A subsidiary of Waste Management Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, the knowledge, experience and resources of North America's largest environmental services organization backs the Company. Our subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. We are also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to energy facilities in the United States. For more information on WM visit: www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com

About Calgary Food Bank

The Calgary Food Bank is dedicated to gathering and distributing quality emergency food for those in need. Last year, more than 124,000 Calgarians received emergency food, up 40% from the previous year. Those needing assistance are primarily the working poor (individuals and families in crisis) who receive one week of quality food (to a maximum of seven times per year). Approximately 222 emergency food hampers are distributed every day. For more information visit: www.calgaryfoodbank.com